What’s New at BSU?
Last year, BSU saw a number of new developments across the college, whether that be in renovations, academics, or partnerships. Whether you’re a new or returning student, this article can serve as a refresher for some of the many things happening at BSU.
While many colleges have seen dwindling enrollment in recent years (and some have even closed), BSU is nearing its highest enrollment ever, according to President Fred Clark, with 9,492 students as of Spring 2026. Clark has told the Board of Trustees that residency is also at full capacity, and that students may need to be waitlisted to ensure that BSU has the capacity to support its students.
Starting this summer, textbooks can only be purchased online as BSU is switching their bookstore vendor to eCampus.com, which the college hopes will make buying textbooks “more accessible, affordable and streamlined.” Under the new system, students will purchase books online then have them shipped to their home or the BSU Bookstore.
The dining halls on the west campus have also seen changes. The Bears Den is now closed on weekends and no longer accepts meal swipes, while the Flynn Dining Commons is operating daily, closing at 7:30 PM and opening at 11:00 AM on weekends and 7:30 AM on weekdays—now giving west campus students easier access to breakfast.
On April 23, the college held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Rondileau Student Union’s $1.5 million renovated ground floor, now named Bear Crossing. This included the creation of the Commuter Lounge adjacent to Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services, the Bear Crossing Lounge near the Student Government Association office—which has held weekly game nights since its opening—and The Comment’s newsroom being relocated to a new office across from WBIM’s station.
Other property developments include the construction of a new hangar at the Flight Training Center in New Bedford, the campus police station being named after long-serving former chief David H. Tillinghast, a new mural in the tunnel painted by a student, and the SGA chambers being named after the late Director of Student Engagement Dan Darcy. Additionally, BSU sold an undeveloped parking lot on Hale Street to a local property developer at $2 million, which will finance accessibility accommodations at Harrington Hall.
Other things included the college obtaining state funding for a co-op program, expanding its photonics program, and partnering with Massachusetts General Hospital to support student careers in healthcare.
